When fans in face trauma for supporting sports teams

For many Ugandans, supporting Premier League football is more than just a pastime—it’s a passion that pulses through their veins, igniting joy, camaraderie, and intense rivalries.

But behind the roaring excitement of game days, there is a darker, often overlooked reality: the emotional and psychological toll the sport can take on fans, particularly when the stakes become dangerously high.

In recent years, Uganda has seen an alarming rise in the number of men falling into depression, violence, and even fatal consequences following significant losses, often linked to betting on Premier League matches. The allure of quick money through betting has entrapped many fans, leading to devastating personal outcomes when their beloved teams falter.

From disappointment to despair

Take the case of James Okello, a die-hard Arsenal fan from Kampala, who recalls the years when his team’s poor performance left him emotionally shattered week after week.

“I used to bet heavily on Arsenal. When they lost, I lost money, and it crushed me. I would take out my frustration on my family, sometimes getting violent,” Okello admits. His situation escalated when mounting debts pushed him into a state of depression.

In another tragic case, Michael Kabanda, a Liverpool fan, took his own life in 2018 after losing a significant amount of money betting on a match that ended in defeat for his team. His friends revealed that Kabanda, who had been struggling with financial instability, had pinned all his hopes on a betting win to resolve his woes. The loss proved to be too much for him to bear.

Dr. Patrick Nsubuga, a psychologist at Mulago Hospital, notes that football fandom in Uganda has increasingly intertwined with gambling, a toxic mix that fuels despair among vulnerable fans. “Football is supposed to bring people together, but for some, especially those who bet excessively, it becomes a source of trauma. The emotional attachment to these teams, paired with financial loss, can lead to depression, violence, and in extreme cases, suicide,” Nsubuga explains.

Domestic violence on the rise

The ripple effects of football-related stress don’t stop at individual despair—they extend into homes, sometimes resulting in domestic violence.

According to Betty Nalubega, a counselor working with a domestic violence support group, there has been a noticeable spike in domestic abuse linked to Premier League betting losses. “We’ve had several cases of women seeking help after being beaten by their partners who were angry about losing a bet. For some men, football becomes an obsession, and when things don’t go their way, they lash out,” she says.

Nalubega adds that the situation worsens when men feel emasculated or financially crippled by their losses.

One striking example is Simon Mutebi, a Manchester United fan, who admits that his frustrations over his team’s recent poor performances led him down a path of aggression.

“When Man United started performing badly, I would drink to numb the pain after a bad game. I didn’t realize I was taking out my anger on my wife and kids,” Mutebi recounts. He has since sought counseling and is trying to distance himself from betting, though the emotional scars remain.

A call for change

Experts warn that the obsession with Premier League football, combined with the addictive nature of sports betting, is creating a national crisis that is tearing families apart. While some fans have sought help, many others continue to suffer in silence, caught in a vicious cycle of loss, frustration, and emotional collapse.

In response, organizations like Kampala Counseling Services and BetSafe Uganda are working to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive betting and emotional attachment to sports outcomes.

They are advocating for responsible gambling practices and encouraging fans to enjoy football without risking their mental health and family stability.

As Premier League fever continues to grip Uganda, it’s essential for fans to remember that, in the end, it’s just a game. Dr. Nsubuga puts it plainly: “Football is meant to entertain and unite us, not destroy lives. Fans need to find a balance before the game they love leaves them broken.”

The challenge now is to foster healthier relationships between fans and their beloved sport, ensuring that the passion for football remains a source of joy—not trauma.